Optometry couple’s new outlook in Havelock North

Inspired to make the most of life, Geoff and Lynne Parker turned future retirement plans into an adventure for the present. Moving from Auckland to Havelock North, the husband and wife set up a new business and are thriving in their new community. 

“Don’t delay fun” is the motto shared by MAS Members Geoff and Lynne Parker. After losing a friend to cancer, they didn’t wait a moment longer to start living their dream lives, so they sold their successful Auckland optical practice and moved to Havelock North. Their new venture, Index Optical, offers high-end, high fashion frames and eyecare expertise, and this outgoing husband and wife are using the opportunity to enjoy everything the region has to offer. 

Where the magic started 

Lynne: I met Geoff in Tauranga. My usual optometrist was away on maternity leave having twins, and when I went for my appointment I was asked if I wanted to see ‘the young guy’. I was convinced I needed coloured contacts because I was going on a Contiki tour and wanted my brown eyes to be sapphire blue, or maybe dark green. Poor Geoff, he was so patient with me. It was an hour and half of me not being able to make a decision! The next morning, I went back and said I ‘d just get my normal prescription after all, and he said, “Well, you owe me a drink.” I’d clearly dazzled him with my 90s shoulder pads and massive earrings. 

Geoff: And that was 34 years ago. I’d just graduated from the University of Auckland and it was my first job. We got married in 1994 and bought our first optometry practice in Auckland’s Ponsonby that same year. It wasn’t like the Ponsonby of today – in fact, I remember when the first cafe opened down the street from us and how exciting that was! 

How business became pleasure 

Lynne: The day before we took the place over, our receptionist quit and suddenly we didn’t have staff, which was terrifying. I was working in sales at the time, so I took annual leave while we figured out what to do next. The first 3 months were… interesting. It was Geoff’s baby and for a while I think we were both trying to do each other’s job! We soon figured out that if we separated our areas, it worked perfectly. 

Geoff: Working together wasn’t in the plan, but we were very complementary in our skill sets so we just went with it. I love talking, I’m great with people and I’m a good clinician, while Lynne has such a sharp brain for business and completely transformed the way we operated. I describe it often as a right hand, left hand situation. I feel genuinely lucky to work with Lynne. She knows what I don’t know, and vice versa. 

You only live once 

Geoff: Over the past few years, we’ve lost both friends and clients to cancer. During her final chapter, one friend would always say, “Don’t delay fun,” and we felt there was a lot of truth in that. You just don’t know what’s ahead, do you? Off the back of the 2020 lockdown, we’d bought a bit of land in Havelock North and thought we might build on it and retire there one day.  

Lynne: But increasingly we began to wonder, “If not now, when?” I’d completed my MBA, and our Parker & Co eyewear store in Newmarket was growing. Life was just busy. We’d get in the car to go home and I’d have to ask Geoff, “How was your day?” We barely saw each other, even working in the same building. And we also decided that if we wanted to be part of a new community like Havelock North, we should open a business, not just move when we retire. How would we meet people then? So that brought our timeline forward. We packed up, moved and established Index.  

A new tribe 

Lynne: The people in Hawke’s Bay are so welcoming. It helped that we already had friends here, and they introduced us to everyone they knew. I love the lifestyle and being able to make time for dinners out at the amazing restaurants, golf lessons, pottery, gardening, line dancing. And what I’ve realised is that because we’ve made this positive change, we will extend our time in business. Running a business in Auckland was stressful and we’d talk about what we would do when we retired. But we’re now re-energised by work, we love having such interesting clients and being here in Havelock North village. We have a much better work-life balance, so we’re having fun as well as working. 

The wonderful part for me is that we get to grow this business from scratch, combining our focus on the latest tech in eyecare with amazing frames and accessories, trunk shows and collaborations. It’s a beautiful blend.  

Geoff: I think – I hope – our clients know us for the experience we offer them. We listen carefully to their concerns. We make sure they know they’re understood and valued. It’s something we are both very passionate about in our respective areas. 

How they make it work 

Geoff: I love how fearless my wife is. She steps into challenges and owns them. I’ve always admired that. As a clinician, I’m more cautious, and I think anyone would say they’d prefer their optometrist to be conservative in their management! But I respect Lynne enormously for being the brave one. 

Lynne: Geoff is kind and he’s so gregarious. He loves company and he loves to chat, that’s why his appointments are always an hour long! I enjoy being able to see his professional side in our day-to-day lives – and that he knows to go and get my second coffee of the day without being asked.  

What the future holds 

Lynne: More travel, while we’re young enough to enjoy it. I remember watching tourists trying to climb some steps to visit a church in Siena, Italy – they weren’t steep but it was a struggle. I decided then that if there were places to go and see, I didn’t want it to be when I was using a walker! 

Geoff: When you’re a younger person, you think you have so much time. But when you begin to lose friends, your perspective changes. Our daughter, Holly, is 28 now and lives in Sydney, so we want to be over there regularly, and continue with our buying trips to Milan and Paris, and see the world. Get out there and make the most of every day!